# といい～といい: both ... and; not only ... also; whether it be ... or ~

> Learn how to use といい～といい, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning both ... and, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-to-ii-to-ii/

**といい～といい** means **both ... and; not only ... also; whether it be ... or ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to pick two representative aspects of something and emphatically state that both are excellent — or both are terrible.

This grammar point often appears in critical reviews, enthusiastic praise, opinion columns, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to emphasize that two facets of the same subject share a striking quality, **といい～といい** is a powerful pattern to learn because it lets you build a strong judgement with natural Japanese rhythm.

<div class="pullquote"><strong>といい～といい</strong> doesn’t just list two items — it picks the two most telling details and uses them to paint a whole picture.</div>

## What does といい～といい mean?

Use **といい～といい** when you present two prominent aspects of a person, place, object, or situation, and then comment that both are notably good, bad, or characteristic.

Natural translations include:
- both ... and; not only ... also; whether it be ... or ~; from … to …

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s stance first — praise, disappointment, criticism — then choose the English phrase that fits that stance.

## How to form といい～といい

Attach **といい** after a noun, repeat with a second noun, then finish the sentence with an overall comment.

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-core">N₁</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">といい</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">N₂</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">といい</span>
  <span class="farrow">→</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">comment (adjective / verb)</span>
</div>

<div class="formula">
  Noun + といい + Noun + といい
</div>

Typical examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>味<rp>(</rp><rt>あじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">あじ</span>といい<ruby>香<rp>(</rp><rt>こう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かお</span>りといい
- デザインといい<ruby>機能<rp>(</rp><rt>きのう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">きのう</span>といい
- <ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かれ</span>の<ruby>性格<rp>(</rp><rt>せいかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">せいかく</span>といい<ruby>才能<rp>(</rp><rt>さいのう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">さいのう</span>といい

The two nouns must belong to the same category — two features of the same thing, not random items. In JLPT questions, wrong answer choices often use this pattern with mismatched nouns or attach it to verbs.

## When is といい～といい used?

Use **といい～といい** in situations like:
- giving a strong review or criticism of a product, meal, service, performance
- reacting emotionally to a personal experience, good or bad
- summing up what makes someone or something exceptional (or awful)

Tone and register:
- slightly formal, often found in opinionated speech, reviews, essays, and formal complaints
- conveys strong, subjective judgement; rare in flat, factual descriptions
- Common in test questions, social media reviews, workplace evaluation talk, and JLPT N1 reading

## といい～といい example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    あのレストランの<ruby>料理<rp>(</rp><rt>りょうり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">りょうり</span>といいサービスといい、<strong><ruby>申し分<rp>(</rp><rt>もうしぶん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なかった</strong>。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">Both the food and the service at that restaurant were flawless.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">review</span>
    <span class="example-tag">praise</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    <ruby>彼女<rp>(</rp><rt>かのじょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かのじょ</span>の<ruby>歌声<rp>(</rp><rt>うたごえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">うたごえ</span>といい<ruby>演奏<rp>(</rp><rt>えんそう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">えんそう</span>といい、<ruby>最高<rp>(</rp><rt>さいこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">さいこう</span>だった。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">Her singing and her playing — both were absolutely incredible.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">music</span>
    <span class="example-tag">enthusiasm</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    このホテルは<ruby>立地<rp>(</rp><rt>りっち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">りっち</span>といい<ruby>部屋<rp>(</rp><rt>へや</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">へや</span>の<ruby>広<rp>(</rp><rt>ひろ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ひろ</span>さといい、<ruby>家族<rp>(</rp><rt>かぞく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>連<rp>(</rp><rt>れん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かぞくづ</span>れにぴったりだ。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">Both the location of this hotel and the spaciousness of the rooms are perfect for families.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">recommendation</span>
    <span class="example-tag">travel</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    <ruby>今回<rp>(</rp><rt>こんかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">こんかい</span>の<ruby>企画<rp>(</rp><rt>きかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">きかく</span>は<ruby>企画<rp>(</rp><rt>きかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>書<rp>(</rp><rt>しょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">きかくしょ</span>といい<ruby>予算<rp>(</rp><rt>よさん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">よさん</span><ruby>管理<rp>(</rp><rt>かんり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かんり</span>といい、ひどいものだった。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">From the proposal to the budget management, everything about this project was a mess.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">criticism</span>
    <span class="example-tag">business</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    あの<ruby>車<rp>(</rp><rt>くるま</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">くるま</span>はデザインといい<ruby>燃費<rp>(</rp><rt>ねんぴ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ねんぴ</span>といい、<ruby>今<rp>(</rp><rt>いま</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">いま</span>まで<ruby>乗<rp>(</rp><rt>のり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">の</span>った<ruby>中<rp>(</rp><rt>なか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">なか</span>で<ruby>一番<rp>(</rp><rt>いちばん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">いちばん</span>だ。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">From its design to its fuel economy, that car is the best I’ve ever driven.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">product review</span>
    <span class="example-tag">superlative</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    <ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かれ</span>の<ruby>態度<rp>(</rp><rt>たいど</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">たいど</span>といい<ruby>言葉<rp>(</rp><rt>ことば</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>遣<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ことばづか</span>いといい、プロとは<ruby>思<rp>(</rp><rt>おもえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">おも</span>えない。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">His attitude and his choice of words — I can’t believe he claims to be a professional.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">judgement</span>
    <span class="example-tag">disbelief</span>
  </div>
</div>

</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **といい～といい** is doing: singling out two emblematic features to support a strong overall opinion. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of といい～といい

The key nuance is **picking two salient features and using them as evidence for a sweeping judgement**.

This matters because learners often treat it as a simple “both … and” list. However, といい～といい carries subjective weight. It says, “Even if I only mention these two, you can already see the whole picture.” The judgement that follows is usually emotional — admiration, disappointment, or sarcasm.

<div class="note-callout">
  <div class="note-icon">💡</div>
  <div class="note-body">
    The two nouns should feel like carefully chosen highlights. If you pick random or unrelated items, the sentence loses force. Always ask: “Are these the two features that <em>prove</em> my point?”
  </div>
</div>

Compared with **も〜も** (also … also), といい～といい is far more rhetorical. も〜も is a calm, factual list. といい～といい is a dramatic presentation.

## といい～といい vs といわず～といわず

Both **といい～といい** and **といわず～といわず** build sentences with two nouns, but they differ in focus.

<div class="compare">

<div class="cmp a">
  <div class="cmp-head">といい～といい</div>
  <div class="cmp-sub">picks two representative points to conclude “both are X”</div>
  <div class="cmp-when">Best for reviews, praise, blame — when you want a strong judgment</div>
  <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>味<rp>(</rp><rt>あじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい<ruby>香り<rp>(</rp><rt>かおり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい、<ruby>素晴らしい<rp>(</rp><rt>すばらしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。</div>
  <div class="cmp-eg-en">Both the taste and the aroma are wonderful. (This one dish is awesome.)</div>
</div>

<div class="cmp b">
  <div class="cmp-head">といわず～といわず</div>
  <div class="cmp-sub">means “without distinguishing between X and Y, the state is widespread”</div>
  <div class="cmp-when">Best when a condition covers everything — hands, clothes, entire body, whole scene</div>
  <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>手<rp>(</rp><rt>て</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といわず<ruby>足<rp>(</rp><rt>あし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といわず<ruby>泥<rp>(</rp><rt>どろ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だらけになった。</div>
  <div class="cmp-eg-en">I got covered in mud from my hands to my feet. (Every part is dirty.)</div>
</div>

</div>

If both translations seem possible, check whether you are *selecting highlights to judge* (といい～といい) or *saying that something applies indiscriminately to all parts* (といわず～といわず).

## Common mistakes with といい～といい

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline bad">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい<ruby>彼女<rp>(</rp><rt>かのじょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい、<ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>こ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なかった。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">You’ve just listed two people; they aren’t features of the same subject. The pattern expects two aspects of one thing.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline good">
    <span class="mark good">✅</span>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>仕事<rp>(</rp><rt>しごと</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ぶりといい<ruby>人柄<rp>(</rp><rt>ひとがら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい、チームに<ruby>欠かせ<rp>(</rp><rt>かかせ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない<ruby>存在<rp>(</rp><rt>そんざい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">Here work ethic and personality are two aspects of the same person — natural usage.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline bad">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>走る<rp>(</rp><rt>はしる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい<ruby>泳ぐ<rp>(</rp><rt>およぐ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい、<ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>何<rp>(</rp><rt>なん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>でもできる。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">The pattern attaches only to nouns, not verbs. You can use <strong>〜ことはもちろん</strong> for such cases.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline good">
    <span class="mark good">✅</span>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>走り<rp>(</rp><rt>はしり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい<ruby>泳ぎ<rp>(</rp><rt>およぎ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい、まったく<ruby>欠点<rp>(</rp><rt>けってん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がない。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">Nominalise the actions (<ruby>走り<rp>(</rp><rt>はしり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>泳ぎ<rp>(</rp><rt>およぎ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) — now the pattern fits perfectly.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline bad">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>味<rp>(</rp><rt>あじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>といい、<ruby>最高<rp>(</rp><rt>さいこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">You need at least <em>two</em> nouns; a single noun with といい is ungrammatical.</div>
</div>

</div>

A helpful practice method is to take a strong opinion you have — something you love or hate — and force yourself to express it with **といい～といい** before using も. That habit locks in the rhetorical feel.

## Is といい～といい on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p><strong>Yes</strong>. といい～といい is commonly taught as <strong>JLPT N1</strong> grammar.</p>
    <ul class="jlpt-checks">
      <li>Appears in reading comprehension as a signal of author’s evaluation</li>
      <li>Often tested in “choose the correct usage” sections</li>
      <li>Can appear in listening as part of a review or complaint</li>
    </ul>
    <p>Test questions may give you a stem with a gap and ask you to select the right combination of nouns and といい. Pay attention to whether the two nouns are logically parallel.</p>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for といい～といい

<div class="prompts">

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
  <div class="prompt-text">
    Think of a recent meal you had. Write one sentence using <strong>といい～といい</strong> to praise (or criticise) that experience.
  </div>
  <span class="prompt-tag">food</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
  <div class="prompt-text">
    Describe a colleague or classmate using two personality traits with <strong>といい～といい</strong>, then add a strong judgement.
  </div>
  <span class="prompt-tag">personal</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
  <div class="prompt-text">
    Read a product review online. How would you rewrite the “good points” section using this pattern?
  </div>
  <span class="prompt-tag">adaptation</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">4</span>
  <div class="prompt-text">
    Write the same judgement twice: once with <strong>といい～といい</strong> and once with <strong>も〜も</strong>. Notice the shift in tone.
  </div>
  <span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
</div>

</div>

## Learning path for といい～といい

To learn **といい～といい** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      First, memorise the formation as <strong>Noun + といい + Noun + といい</strong> and practise turning verb-centred ideas into nominalised pairs.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      Next, compare it with <a href="/blog/n1-to-iwazu-to-iwazu/">といわず～といわず</a> and も〜も. Use the contrast to feel why this pattern is rhetorical, not neutral.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      Collect three real-world sentences from reviews or interviews. For each, underline the two nouns and the overall judgement.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <div class="step-body">
      Finally, write an original opinion paragraph about a film, book, or gadget where <strong>といい～といい</strong> appears twice, and check whether replacing it with another grammar point changes the persuasiveness.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [とあいまって](/blog/n1-to-aimatte/) — because it also combines two factors, but expresses that they work together to produce an effect
- [とあれば](/blog/n1-to-areba/) — because it picks out a single hypothetical condition (“if it is the case that …”) with a strong consequent
- [とあって](/blog/n1-to-atte/) — because it explains a reaction with “because of the special situation that ~,” often followed by a judgement
- [とばかりに](/blog/n1-to-bakari-ni/) — because it describes an attitude so strong that the person seems to say “~” without words, much like your judgement in といい～といい

## Learn といい～といい with Hane

If you want to review **といい～といい** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)